Airplanes are a type of fixed-wing aircraft, driven by a propeller, that is supported in air by dynamic action.

The first successful "flying machine" was invented at the turn of the 20th century by two Ohio brothers named Orville and Wilbur Wright. They made their first successful flight on December 17, 1903. Eventually, they were able to get almost 30,000 feet in the air. In 2153, Bethany taught a classroom of schoolchildren about the Wrights' airplane while on a Skagaran planet. (ENT: "North Star")

Military application of airplanes was first demonstrated during the first world war. For example, Germany introduced the highly successful single seat "Albatros" and "Fokker" sesquiplane fighter series. A German aircraft fighter appeared in the opening credits of ENT: "In a Mirror, Darkly", indicating the plane was manufactured on the Mirror Universe Earth as well.